Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cheesy and irresistible: Packed with a rich combination of melted cheese, this bread is a cheese lover’s dream.
- Flavor explosion: The buttery, garlicky filling with hints of Dijon mustard and poppy seeds adds an irresistible flavor to every bite.
- Highly snackable: Once you start pulling apart the cheesy, gooey bread, it’s hard to stop!
- Perfect for sharing: Whether it’s for a party, casual snack, or dinner side, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 Italian loaf, about 12 inches long
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 3 tsp minced onion
- 2-3 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- 3 tsp chopped parsley (add more if you wish)
- 12 oz grated cheese (a mix of white cheddar and Monterey Jack is recommended)
Directions
- Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). - Prepare the filling:
In a bowl, mix together the melted butter, olive oil, minced onion, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and chopped parsley. - Prepare the bread:
Take the Italian loaf and cut it into cubes with “X” slices, making sure not to cut all the way through the bottom crust. - Stuff the bread:
Using a small spoon, carefully pour the butter-onion-garlic mixture into the cuts and cracks of the bread. Then, generously stuff the cracks with grated cheese. - Wrap the bread:
Wrap the entire loaf in foil, sealing the sides well, and bake for 15-20 minutes. - Finish baking:
After the first bake, remove from the oven and unwrap. Bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and gooey. - Serve and enjoy:
Once done, let it cool just enough to avoid burning your mouth. Pull apart the cheesy pieces, serve, and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Cheese swap: Feel free to swap the white cheddar and Monterey Jack with other cheeses like Gouda, mozzarella, or Gruyère for a different flavor.
- Add-ins: Add some cooked bacon bits, spinach, or even jalapeños for an extra kick.
- Vegan option: Use dairy-free cheese and butter substitutes to make it vegan.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, wrap in foil and bake in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melty again.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes! While Italian bread works great for this recipe, you can also use French bread or any other hearty loaf.
2. Can I add more garlic?
Absolutely! If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add an extra clove or two to the mixture.
3. Can I make this bread ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the bread with the filling and wrap it in foil, then refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
4. Can I make this in a different pan?
You can bake the stuffed bread in any oven-safe dish as long as it’s large enough to hold the loaf comfortably. A baking sheet works fine too!
5. Can I use a store-bought garlic bread mix?
While it’s possible, making this from scratch gives you control over the flavors and ensures a fresh, flavorful result.
6. Can I freeze this bread?
Yes, you can freeze the prepared (but unbaked) stuffed bread. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes of cook time.
7. What kind of cheese should I use?
A mix of white cheddar and Monterey Jack is highly recommended for its meltiness and flavor, but feel free to experiment with your favorite cheeses!
8. Can I add herbs to the filling?
Yes, fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil can be added to the filling for extra flavor.
9. Can I make this recipe without the Dijon mustard?
You can omit the mustard, but it adds a nice depth of flavor. Try substituting it with a little balsamic vinegar for a similar tang.
10. How do I prevent the bread from being too greasy?
Be careful not to overdo the butter and oil mixture, and make sure to use a good quality bread that can hold the stuffing without becoming soggy.
Conclusion
Stuffed Cheesy Bread on Crack is an irresistible, cheesy, garlic-onion delight that will have everyone coming back for more. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or just as a snack, this cheesy bread is guaranteed to be a hit. Just make sure you don’t burn your mouth while trying to devour it!
Stuffed Cheesy Bread on Crack
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Stuffed Cheesy Bread on Crack is a gooey, cheesy, and savory bread stuffed with a buttery onion-garlic mixture, melted cheese, and a hint of Dijon mustard—a perfect snack or side for any gathering.
Ingredients
1 Italian loaf, about 12 inches long
1 stick butter, melted
1/8 cup olive oil
3 tsp minced onion
2–3 cloves garlic, grated
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp poppy seeds
3 tsp chopped parsley
12 oz grated cheese (mix of white cheddar and Monterey Jack recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-inch Italian loaf with melted butter and set aside.
- Mix melted butter, olive oil, minced onion, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and chopped parsley in a bowl.
- Cut the Italian loaf into cubes in an ‘X’ pattern, ensuring not to cut all the way through the bottom crust.
- Stuff the bread by spooning the butter-onion-garlic mixture into the cuts and then generously filling them with grated cheese.
- Wrap the stuffed loaf in foil and bake for 15-20 minutes. Unwrap and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
- Let the bread cool slightly, then pull apart the cheesy bread and serve.
Notes
Swap white cheddar and Monterey Jack for Gouda, mozzarella, or Gruyère for different flavors.
Add cooked bacon bits, spinach, or jalapeños to the filling for extra texture and spice.
For a vegan version, substitute dairy-free cheese and butter alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
